MFL MarMac brings ‘High School Musical’ to stage
MFL MarMac actors will transport audience members to the fictional halls of East High for this year’s musical production, “High School Musical.” The cast includes 23 members, led by Brodyn Blietz as Troy Bolton and Cora Keehner as Gabriella Montez. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
“High School Musical” show times will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, then 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, in the high school auditorium in Monona. Dante Thornton and Mariah Moser will portray Troy and Gabriella’s best friends, Chad Danforth and Taylor McKessie.
Mackenzie O’Connell and Trace Moser will star as Sharpay and Ryan Evans, twins who often lead the musical. They “thicken the plot,” according to O’Connell.
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
MFL MarMac actors will transport audience members to the fictional halls of East High for this year’s musical production, “High School Musical.”
Based on the popular 2006 Disney Channel movie, the show follows star athlete Troy Bolton and the academically gifted Gabriella Montez as they upset the East High social order by pursuing roles in the school musical.
Director Diane Fisk said “High School Musical” has long been suggested as an MFL MarMac musical option.
“It’s got really great music and it’s got a good storyline. That’s one of the things I look at most—that it’s something the kids can relate to. They can learn something on human behavior,” she shared. “Hopefully what they’re learning is that you can be in drama and be in sports. That’s what this is about: getting out of your comfort zone.”
The cast includes 23 members, led by Brodyn Blietz as Troy Bolton and Cora Keehner as Gabriella Montez.
This is the third starring role for Blietz, who said he’s found it easier than previous productions “The Little Mermaid” and “Freaky Friday” due to shorter dialogue. The trickiest part has been learning how to dribble a basketball.
“I’m not good at dribbling a ball, and I’ve had to do a lot of that,” he quipped. “But I really like how he’s the jock. I think that part is definitely easier for me to play.”
Keehner, who’s also frequently featured in MFL MarMac theatre productions, said she’s enjoyed taking on a larger role, especially as a character she grew up watching.
“I’ve watched the movies and it’s just cool being her as a character,” she said. “I’m happy to do it for the musical production.”
Dante Thornton and Mariah Moser portray Troy and Gabriella’s best friends, Chad Danforth and Taylor McKessie.
Like Blietz, Thornton has relished a jock role.
“When I watched the movie when I was a kid, [Chad] was always my favorite character, so getting to play him is fun. I also get to pretend to be a jock. I’m nothing like that in real life, so it’s a lot of fun to do,” he said.
“High School Musical” was a childhood favorite of Moser’s as well. Playing the part of a brainiac has been fun for her, as has portraying a character that helps move the plot forward.
She’s excited to share the experience with Keehner.
“It’s been fun to play that role with her because we’re friends in real life,” Moser said.
Mackenzie O’Connell and Trace Moser will star as Sharpay and Ryan Evans, twins who often lead the musical. They “thicken the plot,” according to O’Connell.
She described Sharpay as “a really fun character, because obviously she’s mean, bratty and really dramatic.”
The second time she’s played a sassier character on stage, O’Connell added, “They’re just really fun to play because they add so much spark to the musical.”
Cast members said the audience will see many similarities to the “High School Musical” television movie in this stage production.
“The storyline is practically the same and there are a lot of the funny punchlines in this show that are also in the movie, but there are a few new details and new songs. That was interesting to learn about as someone who knew the movie beforehand,” said Mariah Moser.
One thing Fisk strives for is to differentiate MFL MarMac’s “High School Musical” from other renditions.
“I don’t want people to say, ‘Oh, we could have watched that on TV again.’ They’re going to know it, but there are things that are different in the play that are not in the movies they would have watched,” she said. “I want it to be our musical.”
“High School Musical” show times will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, then 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, in the high school auditorium in Monona. Purchase tickets online at www.mflmarmac.com/bulldogs, or at the door. Treats will be available at intermission.
Moser called “High School Musical” a good production for any age.
“The elementary students will enjoy it, but so will all the parents and the grandparents. It’s entertaining and fun to watch,” she said.
The students thrive on full, engaged audiences.
“We like to see people come in and watch, so the more people the better,” Thornton added.
